FishSec 235d ago

Recording of the presentations held during the event “Small fish big impact: time for ecosystem-based management” recorded on October 16, 2025 in Brussels. The event was hosted by MEP Isabella Lövin (Verts/ALE), supported by FishSec, Blue Marine Foundation & Irish Wildlife Trust as part of the Brussels Ocean Week 2025. Topic: the important role that small pelagic fish play in the wider marine ecosystem health across Europe. Aim: This event aimed to shed light on both the importance of forage fish for the wider marine ecosystem, and also highlight why these fish must be managed sustainably and within the principles of the ecosystem-based approach to management. With examples of management in the Baltic Sea and the lack of management in the seas around Ireland, the event explored weaknesses in the current management regimes as well as key recommendations for ensuring more sustainable exploitation. The event also explored the UK-EU dispute over the closure of the sandeel fishery in British waters. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction of the event by Elisabeth Druel, Blue Marine Foundation 00:01:56 Welcome and keynote speech by Isabella Lövin 00:06:30 Lina Birgersson & Cathrine Pedersen Schirmer, FishSec, present the new forage fish report 00:28:50 Dr Juliette Scott, Blue Marine Foundation, presents EU-UK sandeel challenge 00:41:40 Grace Carr, Irish Wildlife Trust presents sprat management in Irish waters ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more about FishSecs forage fish project here: https://www.fishsec.org/small-fish-big-impact/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: https://www.fishsec.org/ The Fisheries Secretariat (FishSec) is a non-profit organisation working towards sustainable fisheries in Europe with a focus on the Baltic sea.